(Another serious copycat thread) What can you tell me about Toronto?

[SmileyBoy]

I've been there twice in recent years, but I haven't been able to see most of the city. I'm thinking of taking another trip there with my brother this summer, and I want to see the Hockey Hall of Fame and walk through more urban streets.

I've been thinking of moving to Canada after I get my degree, and I've been considering Winnipeg, Edmonton and Toronto as potential places to move to. Canada currently has a shortage of architects, and I know that they's accept me for immigration. And I think Toronto would be a good, urban place for me to live, considering I'll be a licensed architect by then.

Like I said, I've been there before, but I haven't yet got the chance to see the real soul of the city. What do you know about it that could help me make up my mind???

[fudge stripe cookays]

1. Just got back in October

We had a really nice hotel next to Second City and kitty corner from Wayne Gretzky's (the Soho Metropolitan).

I had conflicting reports about Toronto. My mother visited in 1983 and raved about how amazingly CLEAN it was compared to American cities.

My husband (Albertan) told me Toronto was one of the few Canadian cities with American type crime problems and filth.

Walking down Spadina Ave(I think I must have been in the garment district), I was appalled at the grafitti all over EVERYTHING-- even business doors and windows. Streets were dirty, trash was everywhere.

And I picked up a Real Estate magazine to check prices, as we are considering moving up as well. I was disavowed of that notion very quick. Toronto is horrendously expensive($500,000 CDN avg for a house in the suburbs), just as hubby had told me. I thought he might have been exaggerating, since I know Albertans tend to have problems with Ontario, but now I don't think he was at all. The people weren't as friendly as in Calgary (save the nice waiter at the Italian restaurant next to the hotel). I hated Toronto.

And I don't know where my mom was staying, but things have changed a lot in 20 years.

You might want to consider Calgary as well. Alberta's economy is one of the best in the provinces now, and the mountains are RIGHT there for rest and relaxation. The weather is a little milder than Edmonton's because of the Chinooks, and I've had some incredible meals at Nellie's, the River Cafe, and Paros on 4th St. It's one of the most conservative areas in Canada, but we have plenty of progressive friends there, and their conservative doesn't begin to touch the crap we have to deal with here. Screaming Lord Byron is there if you need more info too.

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[SmileyBoy]

2. Yeah, I've been considering Calgary too.

But if I had a choice between Calgary and Edmonton, I'd have to pick Edmonton. It just seems to be more of a green city than a brown one, like Calgary. There's beautiful forests near Edmonton too.

[fudge stripe cookays]

3. Have you seen Prince's Island Park?

Beautiful oasis of green, right in the middle of Calgary. I was enchanted seeing all the black squirrels and wild geese in the park while we were eating at the River Cafe.

I have to admit though-- that incredible drive through the Saskatchewan River Valley on Whitemud Trail is AMAZING! I guess I'm biased. Edmonton to me would be WAY too close to my sister-in-law, whom I love, but TALKS CONSTANTLY.

Calgary is where all our super cool child-free friends live.

Good luck!
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[Champ]

4. Vince Carter!!!